Sea lions are typically not aggressive toward humans. However, these usually curious and playful marine animals have been making headlines recently for multiple attacks on people off the coast of California.
The aggression is linked to a toxic algae bloom impacting nearly 400 miles of the Southern California coast, mostly in L.A. and Santa Barbara Counties. Aggressive and erratic behavior isn’t the only way this toxic bloom can affect these animals, and sea lions aren’t the only infected animals.
Sea Lion Attacks
Recently in March 2025, two people in Southern California were attacked by an aggressive sea lion. One man was on his surfboard when the sea lion charged, bit him, and dragged him off the surfboard.
